YOAKUM: Robert (Bob) Clyde Putnam, of Conroe, TX died peacefully on Nov. 21, 2025, with family by his bedside. He was 107. He was born in Bismarck, N.D., June 12, 1918, during the “Spanish Flu Pandemic”. He was the third child of Ruth Booher Putnam, and Clyde Chester Putnam who were both educators, his mother, a teacher and his father, a school principal. Clyde abandoned his family when Bob was just 6 months old, leaving his wife to raise Bob & his older brother Kenneth. Their 3-yr old sister, Harriet, had passed away prior to their father’s leaving, possibly from the Spanish flu.
Bob’s mother, with her surviving 2 children, soon moved them to Armour, SD, where she had extended family. They willingly assisted her in raising her two sons, Kenneth and Robert. Bob met his father for the first time at his high school graduation. His father offered to teach him the insurance business, but Bob declined. In 1936, he graduated from Armour High School, in a class of 38. He won the South Dakota high school championship in Baritone his senior year, the prize, a scholarship to the Sherwood School of Music in Chicago, IL. He had two options for his future. The first was to follow his musical passions and attend The Sherwood School of Music. Unfortunately, the scholarship did not cover room and board. His other option was an apprenticeship with Caterpillar Tractor Co. In Peoria, IL. This was a paying job; the choice was clear. Bob and his brother, Ken, moved to Peoria, IL, as the country was recovering from the Great Depression. Bob accepted the apprenticeship with Caterpillar Tractor Co, where he was eventually promoted to supervisor.
On a warm summer evening, in1936, his life changed forever. Attending a rooftop dance with live music, Big Band of course, admission $0.25; He met the love of his life, Virginia (Gin) Marie Ringens. On his first request to dance, she turned him down. He later learned she thought he was too short! After admiring his smooth confidence dancing with other partners, Gin changed her mind. On his second request, she said yes! They married on Aug 3, 1940. They were “dance partners” for 77 years. Their mutual love of music and dance was a common thread throughout their lives.
During WWII, Caterpillar tractors were used by the Allies across all theaters, building infrastructure like airfields, roads, and camps, therefore Bob was classified as an essential worker at Caterpillar, in war production and was not drafted. After working many months, he still didn’t feel he was doing enough for the war effort, so one day he enlisted in the Navy. He signed up for the duration of the war-much to the displeasure of his wife and Caterpillar Tractor. The Navy originally sent him to radar school, a new technology at the time. He was assigned to a destroyer, the USS Herndon (DD 638). The Herndon participated in convoys protecting President Roosevelt’s ship on his journey to the Yalta Conference, which was a meeting with Churchill. In Feb.1945, while Bob was assigned to the Herndon, the ship escorted Roosevelt on the first leg of the voyage. He didn’t know it at the time he chose the Navy, he was prone to sea sickness. His ranking upon discharge was “Photographer’s Mate Third Class”.
After 8 years of marriage and the birth of their son, Mark, they left Peoria & moved to McAllen, TX where he continued to build his construction business. In 1952, their daughter, Kay, joined the family. While living in McAllen, they took up Square Dancing (complete with petticoats for Gin) and joined a local club. In the mid 1950’s, they waltzed their way to Corpus Christi, TX, where daughters Jean and Nancy were born. In Corpus Christi, they joined the Petroleum Club, where they took ballroom dancing lessons, hoping to learn a few new moves. Although they practiced at home, they soon decided their own version was much more fun!
At age 50, Bob became a highschool teacher with the Corpus Christi, ISD. He taught vocational trades in both Moody & West Oso High Schools. In 1980 He and Virginia (who was now retired), moved to Yoakum, TX, where Bob became an Industrial Arts teacher. Bob didn’t just teach his students with abstract ideas. He looked around town for projects to combine his teaching skills with real world applications so his students could obtain skills and exposure to community service. He made a deal with the city of Yoakum. His students would supply the labor at no cost to the city, and the city would supply the materials. Their first project was to build their classroom from an existing shell of a building on the YHS campus. His students went all over town building things for the city of Yoakum such as
- Centennial Park gazebo, sidewalks and bridge
- New restroom facilities in the City Park
- New restrooms, block house and office space at the fairgrounds
- New sidewalks all over town
Bob joined the Yoakum Rotary in 1983, where over the years he was awarded various awards:
- Master Sergeant of Arms & Song Leader
- 1991 District Rotary International Roll of Fame
- 1992 Rotary International Governors Appreciation Award for Leadership
- 1995-1996 Rotarian of the year
- 2005 Rotary Distinguished Service Award
Bob retired from teaching at age 70, but he wasn’t ready to slow down. Over the next 15 years, with the support of the Yoakum Rotary Club, Bob built the Adult Education Literacy (AEL) program in Yoakum. His wife Virginia, along with a few other volunteers, were also certified as AEL teachers. He supervised the remodeling of apartments for his literary students & the programs teaching space on Crittenden St. in Yoakum. They taught adults to read, sometimes getting them jobs or help with their citizenship. Bob received the International Rotary award for his work.
In January 2018, Bob was honored to receive The Paul F. Gustwick Annual Community Service award presented by the Yoakum, TX Chamber of Commerce on their 100th year Anniversary. It was also the year that Bob celebrated his 100th birthday!
In December of 2017, upon the death of his beloved wife, Virginia, he moved to Conroe, TX to be near his daughter, Jean Chancy and her family. In Conroe, he was introduced to, The 105 Lone Star Honor Flight Veterans Club, where he was a regular attendee of their Wednesday morning breakfasts, opening their meetings, leading them in singing of, “God Bless America”.
He is survived by his daughters, Kay Feeman, Jean Chancy, and Nancy Putnam. Bob and Virginia were blessed with 7 grandchildren: Vicky Feeman Martin, John Feeman, Jr., Kyla Feeman Hargis, Dawn Putnam Kirkland, Mark Putnam, Jr., Matthew Chancy and Lauren Chancy, along with 14 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren!
He is preceded in death by, his wife of 77 years, Virginia M. Putnam, son Mark Putnam Sr., his brother, Kenneth Putnam, sister Harriet Putnam, and his parents, Ruth & Clyde Putnam.
Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. at Grace Lutheran Church, 13123 TX-105, Conroe, TX 77304.
Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 605 US Hwy 77a S, Yoakum, TX 77995. He will be placed at rest in Yoakum Restland Mausoleum, Yoakum, TX.
The Family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to one of the following or the charity of your choice: Rotary Club of Yoakum, TX ,1026 E. Gonzalez, Yoakum, TX 77995 or Lone Star Honor Flight Veterans Club 105, 13921 HWY 105 W, Conroe, TX 77304.
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